Chiefs’ momentum is waning

If the Kansas City Chiefs still aren’t fighting for home-field advantage by the time they play the Bears Sunday, chances are they will be fighting for something, maybe among themselves.

“The one thing we did not want to sacrifice was the momentum,” Chiefs Pro Bowl running back Priest Holmes said after a 45-20 loss to Minnesota on Saturday. “We definitely have some things to work on.”

The lopsided loss to the Vikings was the Chiefs’ second in three weeks. Reporters were kicked out of the locker room when Chiefs defensive linemen Ryan Sims and Eric Hicks got into a heated argument.

“We didn’t play well enough so emotions get hot,” quarterback Trent Green explained.

Coach Dick Vermeil took both players to his woodshed Sunday, addressed the problem in a team meeting, then announced a unanimous decision to take out all frustrations on the Bears.

Even if the Chiefs are stuck in the No. 2 seed (presuming a New England victory on Saturday) and have nothing more to gain by beating the Bears, Vermeil promised: “I expect to line up and play real fine football next week in Arrowhead.”

One of the toughest home venues in the league, Arrowhead will be a new experience for Bears quarterback Rex Grossman. Until the Minnesota trip, the Chiefs had balanced their poor defense with an offense ranked No. 2 and averaging 31 points a game. After falling behind the Vikings 31-0 on the way to a 25-point loss, the Chiefs will want to tune up.

The Chiefs’ offense had seven players named to the Pro Bowl two days before the embarrassment. Getting shut out for a half is no way to get ready for the postseason.

Holmes scored three touchdowns to tie Emmitt Smith’s season record of 25 rushing TDs and move within one of Marshall Faulk’s season record of 26 (18 rushing, eight receiving), so nobody expects Holmes to be resting.

Vermeil said Tuesday he would start his starters regardless of the playoff situation.

“I anticipate playing a full four quarters and trying to get some momentum going into the playoffs,” Green said.

The Chiefs have one of the worst defenses in the league and their coordinator, Greg Robinson, has endured as much flak as Bears offensive coordinator John Shoop, setting up a classic clash in futility.

Robinson’s critics charge his scheme is too complicated and asks players to do things they’re not capable of doing well. Robinson was Denver’s coordinator until he and Mike Shanahan parted ways before the 2001 season. Safety Greg Wesley said he’s not sure where the problem lies. The Chiefs gave up 45 points in a loss to Denver two weeks ago.

“We just have to go in this week and find out what the problem is and get it corrected fast,” Wesley said.

The Chiefs added defensive end Vonnie Holliday from Green Bay, linebacker Shawn Barber from Philadelphia and cornerback Dexter McCleon from Detroit in the off-season. After early success and a 9-0 start, the Chiefs have reverted to old ways. Holliday had three sacks in the season opener and has only 2.5 in 14 games since.

The Chiefs are 3-3 in their last six games, during which they have allowed 413.6 yards a game–190.8 on the ground–and 29.8 points a game. At home or on the road, they look like a one-and-done playoff team unless they can regain confidence against the Bears.

One way the Vikings shut down the Chiefs was to contain spectacular kick returner Dante Hall, who was held to a 19-yard average on five kick returns. Eddie Kennison replaced him on punt returns after Hall suffered from cramps.

Hall has returned two kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns this season, but none since Week 5, when the Chiefs were 5-0.

Vermeil called the Bears “the most improved team I’ve seen this year,” noting they beat Denver in Denver and Minnesota, the two teams that trounced the Chiefs in the last three weeks.

“It’s all about confidence right now,” McCleon said. “We have to find a way to get most of these guys’ confidence back on defense.”

More Top Picks Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist

Green said: “I don’t think anybody’s confidence is wavering.”